20111231

offering to the Lord willingly

Exodus 25

v2

Speak unto the children of Israel, that they bring me an offering: of every man that giveth it willingly with his heart ye shall take my offering.

This reminds me of the way that the Lord still wants His people to offer their things to His work, in the New Testament, as well: willingly.

2 Corinthians 9:7
Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, [so let him give]; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.

20111230

Mark 3 - Key

v29

But he that shall blaspheme against the Holy Ghost hath never forgiveness, but is in danger of eternal damnation:

We should be careful about what we attribute supernatural occurrences to, if we are not sure.

20111229

Mark 2 - Key

v9

Whether is it easier to say to the sick of the palsy, [Thy] sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Arise, and take up thy bed, and walk?

Some people really emphasize miraculous physical healing today. The Lord can do that. However, the miracle that I would like better, and that I think is more important, is Christ's spiritual healing from sin, and His forgiveness.

Which would you rather do, completely eradicate the root cause of a problem, or merely temporarily relieve some of the symptoms?

20111228

we will be odedient

Exodus 24

v3

And Moses came and told the people all the words of the LORD, and all the judgments: and all the people answered with one voice, and said, All the words which the LORD hath said will we do.

Saying that you will do something is one thing. How much do we actually follow through with what we commit to the Lord to do?

20111227

Matthew 25:14-30 - Key

v25

And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, [there] thou hast [that is] thine.

That servant was wicked and slothful because he was afraid. What might their be in our lives, that we are afraid to risk for the Lord?

20111226

Matthew 25:14-30 - Outline

v14-15
the Lord gave each of us what He knew was right for us
v16-17
more expected from those who had received more
v18
variation in outcomes from a variation of choices
v19-30
rewards

20111225

do not even mention their names

Exodus 23

v13

And in all [things] that I have said unto you be circumspect: and make no mention of the name of other gods, neither let it be heard out of thy mouth.

There was a law that they were not even supposed to mention the names of idols with their mouths. Considering us, today, how casually might we talk about things like mythologies, demons, and false gods?

Now-a-days, some people have a habit of naming things after idols, and some movies contain characters named after idols. As believers, we should think twice about participating in things like that. We don't need to give those things that much credit.

20111224

restitution and reconciliation

Exodus 22

v5

If a man shall cause a field or vineyard to be eaten, and shall put in his beast, and shall feed in another man's field; of the best of his own field, and of the best of his own vineyard, shall he make restitution.

This chapter talks much about making restitution. We should seek to be reconciled to people in our situations.

2 Corinthians 5:18
And all things [are] of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;

20111223

the new law

Exodus 21

v24

Eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot,

In the Old Testament, the Lord gave good and just laws to Israel. But, now, I am glad that He has given a new law us believers.

Hebrews 7:18
For there is verily a disannulling of the commandment going before for the weakness and unprofitableness thereof.

Instead of being motivated by fear of punishment, we can receive transformed hearts, so that we want to do what is right, because we love Christ.

Hebrews 7:19
For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope [did]; by the which we draw nigh unto God.

It is not that the law was somehow bad, or that it was, in any way, the cause of sin in the first place--but, the law, in itself, could never fully resolve the root of the problem. Now, with the ability to have the desires of our hearts converted to Christ, we do not even need the law to restrain us, because we already naturally adhere to a higher standard.

Galatians 5:13
For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only [use] not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.

20111222

God has come to prove you

Exodus 20

v20

And Moses said unto the people, Fear not: for God is come to prove you, and that his fear may be before your faces, that ye sin not.

We should not fear to draw near to the Lord and talk with Him. Instead, "the fear of the Lord" should keep us from sinning.

In other words, we should fear to sin; we should not fear to repent.

20111221

1 Corinthians 14 - Key

v12

Even so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual [gifts], seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church.

First of all, it could have been good that they were zealous of spiritual things, but it seems like they were zealous of the wrong spiritual things... or they were zealous in the wrong way. Are we even zealous of spiritual gifts, at all, today?

We should zealously desire to exercise our love for the Lord's people, to serve and edify the Church with the opportunities and abilities that Christ gives us by His Spirit.

Application

v3
But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men [to] edification, and exhortation, and comfort.

I'll put aside some time on Saturday afternoons to be prepared to share edifying messages with the Lord's people.

20111220

Matthew 25:1-13 - Key

v13

Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.

Pseudoscience, biased news, conspiracy theories, and overemphasis on entertainment, are just a few symptoms of how our society is becoming increasingly unaware of reality. The Lord has blessed us with incredible luxury, and there's nothing wrong with that, but we need to make sure we don't get distracted from faithfully serving Him.

Application

Proverbs 20:13
Love not sleep, lest thou come to poverty; open thine eyes, [and] thou shalt be satisfied with bread.

I'll get up on time in the morning.

20111219

obey My voice indeed

Exodus 19

v5

Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth [is] mine:

The Lord wants the same thing for us today, that He wanted for Israel then, and that they ultimately failed to do, under the law. He said, ...if ye will obey my voice indeed...

Hebrews 12:25
See that ye refuse not him that speaketh. For if they escaped not who refused him that spake on earth, much more [shall not] we [escape], if we turn away from him that [speaketh] from heaven...

20111218

Moses listened to his father-in-law

Exodus 18

v19

Hearken now unto my voice, I will give thee counsel, and God shall be with thee: Be thou for the people to God-ward, that thou mayest bring the causes unto God:

Moses still listened to his father-in-law Jethro, even though Jethro was the priest of Midian (v1). We should still listen to and honor our parents and other older people, even if they don't seem to know the Lord like we do. Sometimes they can still give advice that is honoring to the Lord.

20111217

little is much with the Lord

Exodus 17

v11

And it came to pass, when Moses held up his hand, that Israel prevailed: and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed.

There are some little things that we do every day, that could seem insignificant. In the same way, it could have seemed insignificant, whether or not Moses help up his hands.

However, we should still do, even those little things, the best way that we can, with all of our strength, for the Lord. When we do, then the Lord can reward our faith in Him, with surprising great rewards.

20111216

1 Kings 5 - Key

v5

And, behold, I purpose to build an house unto the name of the LORD my God, as the LORD spake unto David my father, saying, Thy son, whom I will set upon thy throne in thy room, he shall build an house unto my name.

Solomon desired to oversee the construction of the physical building of the temple, for the glory of the name of the Lord. In the same way, we should commit the work that we do, to the Lord, for His glory.

Psalm 37:5
Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring [it] to pass.

20111215

1 Kings 4 - Key

v20

Judah and Israel [were] many, as the sand which [is] by the sea in multitude, eating and drinking, and making merry.

The prosperity at the time of Solomon also reminds me of this verse:

Proverbs 10:22
The blessing of the LORD, it maketh rich, and he addeth no sorrow with it.

These verses can help us realize how abundantly the Lord will bless us, if we simply follow Him. That makes me, immediately, want to be more prayerful and more faithful to Him.

20111213

1 Corinthians 14 - Outline

v1-28
the gifts of tongues and prophesy contrasted by pros and cons
v29-33
prophesying in order, not in confusion
v34-35
let women ask their husbands at home
v36-40
do everything decently and in order

20111212

manna to test them

Exodus 16

v28

And the LORD said unto Moses, How long refuse ye to keep my commandments and my laws?

The Lord told His people to not save leftover manna, but they saved leftover manna anyway. He told them not to go out to gather manna on the Sabbath day, but they went out anyway.

How many things like this in our lives, has the Lord told us, yet we still don't get it? How many times do we have to see that the Lord really was right after all, before we learn to just trust and obey Him?

20111211

who is like God?

Exodus 15

v11

Who [is] like unto thee, O LORD, among the gods? who [is] like thee, glorious in holiness, fearful [in] praises, doing wonders?

I think that this one small verse is a great way to praise God.

20111210

Fear ye not, stand still

Exodus 14

v13

And Moses said unto the people, Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD, which he will shew to you to day: for the Egyptians whom ye have seen to day, ye shall see them again no more for ever.

Like with the Egyptians, the Lord can completely deal with our spiritual enemies, and deliver us from our problems. Praise the Lord

20111209

1 Kings 3 - Key

v15

And Solomon awoke; and, behold, [it was] a dream. And he came to Jerusalem, and stood before the ark of the covenant of the LORD, and offered up burnt offerings, and offered peace offerings, and made a feast to all his servants.

After the Lord appeared to him, Solomon came and sacrificed again. In the same way, when we have prayed for a situation, let's remember to come back and thank the Lord, afterward.

20111208

1 Kings 2 - Key

v2

I go the way of all the earth: be thou strong therefore, and shew thyself a man;

Here's just a simple encouragement, to remind us to show strength and maturity, in the ways that we already know we should.

20111207

1 Corinthians 13 - Key

v2

And though I have [the gift of] prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.

I love to understand mysteries and have all kinds of knowledge, but there's a certain right time and way for those things. Those things can be good gifts, but they are only a means to an end. Charity itself, is the ultimate objective of everything.

Application

I've often been distracted by reveling in intriguing knowledge, while neglecting what I am really supposed to be doing at the time. Next time I come up with ingenious ideas while I should really be working on something else, I'll just make a note and save those ideas for when it is time for them.

20111205

1 Corinthians 13 - Outline

v1-3
charity is greater than the greatest tongues, prophesy, knowledge, and even faith
v4-7
characteristics of charity
v8-12
charity outlasts other things like prophesies, tongues, and knowledge
v13
charity is even greater than faith and hope

20111204

Matthew 25:1-13 - Outline

v1-4
the difference between the wise and the foolish: the wise prepared in advance, but the foolish did not
v5-7
the similarities between the wise and the foolish: they all slept at a certain time, they all arose at a certain time
v8-9
each person is responsible for his own manner of life
v10-13
the particular hour of the day that Christ returns, there will be the end of some great opportunity

20111203

a difference between men and beasts

Exodus 13

v15

And it came to pass, when Pharaoh would hardly let us go, that the LORD slew all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both the firstborn of man, and the firstborn of beast: therefore I sacrifice to the LORD all that openeth the matrix, being males; but all the firstborn of my children I redeem.

I think it was interesting that when the Lord taught Israel about sacrificing the firstborn, He put a clear distinction between the animals and the people. The firstborn animals were supposed to be sacrificed to the Lord, but all of the firstborn children were supposed to be redeemed (to have a price paid so that they could be free). I think that this distinction between humans and animals indicates the sanctity of human life.

20111202

1 Kings 1 - Key

v52

And Solomon said, If he will shew himself a worthy man, there shall not an hair of him fall to the earth: but if wickedness shall be found in him, he shall die.

Adonijah had certainly offended before, but now he was put on notice. If we sin, we need to repent; and, after we have sinned before, we really should change and show ourselves to be worthy people from now on.

20111201

2 Samuel 24 - Key

v24

And the king said unto Araunah, Nay; but I will surely buy [it] of thee at a price: neither will I offer burnt offerings unto the LORD my God of that which doth cost me nothing. So David bought the threshingfloor and the oxen for fifty shekels of silver.

We shouldn't just serve the Lord when it is easy and "costs us nothing." We should be willing to sacrifice things to the Lord that cost us something.

For example, we should change our behavior when we know the Lord wants us to, even if it is hard.

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